Widening access of Chilean products to Turkey topped the agenda at a meeting of the Joint Committee between the two countries which took place in Ankara on 27 and 28 April. The discussion included an evaluation of the possibility of implementing an electronic certification of origin system and the establishment of technical cooperation programmes on plant health, amongst other issues.

Paul Urria, director of bilateral economic affairs at Direcon said: “We are very interested in revitalising our trade relationship with Turkey and have agreed, along with the Turkish authorities, to advance towards that shared goal”.

Both countries agreed to cooperate on phytosanitary issues such as the control of pests like lobesia botrana and grapevine moth. “We want to cultivate a relationship that goes further than commercial interests alone by encouraging cooperation on technical matters that will help Chilean producers while at the same time allowing Turkey to benefit from Chilean expertise in other areas,” Urria said.

Chilean exports to Turkey have risen by 10.9 per cent a year since the Free Trade Agreement between the two nations came into force in March 2011, the main products being cathodes and nuts. At the same time, Chilean imports of Turkish products have increased by around 43 per cent a year.

Brand-building via e-commerce, reaching out to new consumers in tier-two and -three cities, and managing future market growth projections in China were some of the hot topics discussed at Asiafruit Market Insight

The Indian business continues to defy the odds, registering sharp growth amid major hurdles. But with the right approaches, it can become so much bigger, heard delegates to last week’s Fresh Produce India